The warrior class of feudal Japan, the samurai have become almost mythical with their reputation for personal fortitude and toughness on the battlefield. Although some samurai were over-privileged elitists, many lived austere lives of brutal training and conditioning. Training methods for individual samurai varied as much as the samurai themselves, but some tenets of training remained constant through much of this stratus of society.

Mental Preparation​Much of the samurai's legendary discipline derives from the observation of Bushido, a code of conduct roughly analogous to the chivalric code of the European warrior classes. A chief concern of the Bushido code was that of duty: duty to family, employer and fellow warriors. A second concern was that of preparation for death. Samurai were instructed to live as though they expected to die in the next minute, thus ensuring that their present behavior left no room for regret. Samurai were encouraged to meditate frequently on these principals, preparing themselves for the rigors of service and war.Physical ConditioningCenturies before the advent of health clubs and charity ultra-marathons, samurai conditioned themselves and proved their physical toughness by battling with the elements. Practices such as standing nude in deep snow or sitting beneath ice-cold waterfalls are two common examples of samurai training practices. Many also would practice voluntarily going without food, water or sleep to harden themselves against deprivation. On the other extreme, heavy drinking was a favored pastime to build endurance and increase vigor.Unarmed CombatMany samurai trained in unarmed combat skills, most commonly in bujutsu style that eventually spawned karate, judo and aikido. Because warriors always went about armed, this was rarely practiced with the expectation of realistically using it to fight. Instead, samurai studied unarmed fighting to condition themselves physically and to better understand armed combat. They also used the kata, formal practice exercises, as a meditative practice.Weapons WorkTraditionally, samurai trained with the sword, bow and a spear-like weapon called a naginata. During the peak of the feudal period, famed instructors in these arts opened schools under the protection of a single lord, who would encourage his samurai to train there. While training, samurai would use wooden weapons for practice against each other, then sharp swords against dummies made of wood or straw. Samurai also would often practice their weapon techniques against live slaves and prisoners.

Evan Vlachos is tri-vocational, as a special education teacher, a researcher and a Karate practitioner (Shorin ryu Karate-do and Matayoshi Kobudo). This gives him a unique insight into how martial arts can benefit children with BESD.

According to Evan, here are ten key benefits of traditional martial arts training for these children . .

​1. Decreased aggression

Evan presents research showing that martial arts training can help children control their aggression and frustration. This is unsurprising, given that the traditional martial arts focus on avoiding conflict and impulsive actions, avoiding hostility and aggression, and building an honorable, non‐violent and respectful character.

Evan does not, however, have the same faith in combat sports. He argues that any style which promotes aggression, competition in athletic events and fighting for personal fame or money is probably not suitable to help children with BESD, and may even increase their problems.

​2. Decreased anxiety and better ability to cope with stress

Evan refers to various studies showing that children who train in martial arts enjoy a clear improvement in their mental health, including their ability to cope with stress and anxiety.

This is especially important for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), who are highly prone to high levels of anxiety and find many situations in their everyday life stressful and overbearing, which can lead to depression or substance abuse (Sutton, 2000).

3. Increased self-control and self-regulation

Another important benefit of training in the martial arts for children with BESD is the promotion of self-control, since traditional martial arts have a strict moral code of conduct that involves respect and courtesy.

As Even says, the emphasis on self‐regulation is not a core value in other types of sport related interventions, but it is taught and reinforced in martial arts (Lakes and Hoyt, 2004).

4.A range of physical benefits

Evan reminds us of the well-known benefits of martial arts training for all students – increased strength, agility, awareness and coordination, balance, flexibility and so on.

For children with ADHD, there are further benefits also:

In traditional martial arts, the teaching is concentrated mainly on technique and proper posture of the body and not on strength or speed, two attributes that are also raised in time. This can be very useful for students with ADHD who often have trouble with their fine motor skills and such training can help them in terms of balance, dexterity and spatial understanding (Loe and Feldman, 2007).

5. Potential alleviation of the symptoms of ADHD

Unfortunately, there is a tendency to treat ADHD with medication (psychostimulants) despite the fact that these are known to be toxic and sometimes cause serious side effects, and may have a damaging long-term effect. Their effects can also be short-term; and research shows that it is possible that the unwanted behaviour will be intensified after the drug’s effect wears off.

However, Evan cites interesting research by Helig (2007), which argues that:

physical exercise such as martial arts, can lead to a marked decrease in the symptoms of ADHD in children and adults. In fact his research shows that exercise is more effective in alleviating the symptoms of mild ADHD compared to prescribed medication, both in short‐term and long‐term efficacy.

An interesting and attractive programme to engage children’s attention

Evan suggests that a martial art is a more interesting alternative to other forms of exercise and can capture the interest of today’s children, who are more used to indoors activities (Lewis, 1996).

He also explains that Research shows that sports‐based interventions generally attract a limited number of children but martial arts seem to appeal to a wider range.

Increased confidence and self-esteem

Martial arts training can help with obesity and insomnia, which children with BESD are at risk of, due to stress and high levels of anxiety. It can also increase confidence by improving children’s body image in general.

The belts and ranking system can give children with BESD concrete evidence of their own progress. Evan also explains that, Testing events and demonstrations offer recognition of their effort that they might not be getting from their school teachers or family members because of their behaviour (Twemlow and Salco, 1998).

Children who are often shamed for their bad behavior and inability to cope with stress will hopefully become more confident as they see themselves becoming better able to control their behavior and responses to stressors.

Finally, having a good sensei to look up to and feel supported by can also boost children’s confidence and self‐esteem (Lantz, 2002).

Increased concentration ability and a better attitude to learning

Evan explains that children with BESD can benefit a lot from the focus of martial arts on cultivating the concentration.

During their classes they are taught how to set their mind on one thing only, such as a technique or a ‘kata’ and perform it without distractions […] Children with BESD can also benefit from the controlled environment of the class […] Inside the training hall there are no noises, pictures or other external stimuli to distract the child, who has to focus and pay attention […] With proper, long‐term training children can learn how to master this skill in the dojo (training hall) and then transfer it to their every‐day life.

Students with BESD often have a negative attitude towards learning and homework (Mowat, 2010). However with the skills they can acquire through their training they can develop more positive dispositions towards school and homework (Zivin et al., 2001). Students also learn how to commit themselves to their goals and aims, since most styles take time to learn.

Promotes social inclusion

This can be a benefit of martial arts training for all children. But it’s perhaps especially pertinent for children who are socially excluded. Children with BESD often have weak social skills and problems fitting in. Evan explains that a martial arts training programme can enable these kids to feel part of,a larger team that shares the same interests and has the same goals with them. This gives them the feeling of belonging in a social group (Lantz, 2002). During practice, children have to learn how to collaborate with their peers in order to perform the requested techniques and advance in the art[…] This feeling of belonging and active participation is vital for children with BESD and not only promotes inclusion but it can also help them shake of the ‘stigma’ of their label (Sutton, 2000)

.Values kinaesthetic learning

Evan explains that many forms of intervention with children who have BESD focus on talking, which may be boring or frustrating for the child. Martial arts however focus more on kinesthetic abilities, allowing them to express themselves through motion and action (Twemlow and Sacco,1998).

Children with BESD can often feel insecure or excluded due to their slow academic progress. School work can tend to ignore or devalue the importance of kinaesthetic intelligence, with its heavy focus on exams. Martial arts can therefore give these children an opportunity to feel intelligent, and see themselves learning and making progress, which increases their self-esteem.

Evan’s paper also looks at the qualities that will help an instructor succeed with helping children with BESD. He explores several interesting case studies of martial arts programmes which have already helped children with BESD:

LEAD (Leadership Education through Athletic Development (Moo Gong Ryu)

Evan is passionate about the potential for martial arts to help these children. He urges us to help make martial arts training legitimate in the eyes of the public and “bring these esoteric solutions out from the shadows”.

​And given the impressive potential benefits outlined above, this sounds like something we can surely all get behind . .!

Recently I was interviewed by Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio and I had the opportunity to think back to my first SERIOUS martial arts instructor Yong Chin Pak Kwanjangnim. He was a very dedicated and intense individual. A paradox to be sure but a very strong influence on my life. So when I found this video interviewing GM Pak's I wanted to share it.

It’s been a while since I posted anything about Hapkido. We had an interesting class yesterday. A few new people, and work on the basics.A lot of Hapkido boils down to this concept of taking your opponent’s center of gravity – getting uke off-balance to your benefit. An interesting concept (and one that should have occurred to me before, srsly!) is of taking the center without alerting your opponent.I really need to start learning the terminology of this art – it’s getting hard to describe things without a vocabulary that’s up to my demanding blog standards. Heh. But anyway, we were working on taking your opponent’s balance from the back by putting your hands on his shoulders, tilting him just slightly, then encouraging him to fall. It was really amazing to me how much easier it was to accomplish when your touch was very light, almost like you’re touching something very fragile. I’d feel “the connection” sensei talks about and just be able to bring my hands down, and uke with them. I noticed a similar behavior on another technique later when thinking about the class.It’s hard to get used to this concept. I keep hearing myself say “that doesn’t feel like it should work” or “I know I’m trying too hard, but it feels like I have to”. Relaxation is at the core of this art – relaxation and simple principles of physics.

The martial arts are an ancient method of training your mind, body and spirit to work in harmony together. While martial arts practitioners strive for harmony, they also learn effective and often devastating self-defense techniques. Children who are involved in martial arts acquire many benefits in several areas of life. Martial arts have been developed throughout the world, in every nation, and in every culture.

FitnessFitness is a vital element to all classes, especially where children are involved. Warm-ups with jumping jacks, stretches, push-ups and other exercises are common, and the movements of the martial art itself often a challenge to your muscles and cardiovascular system. Martial artists are known for being toned, flexible and physically fit, and your child will be no different.

Self DefenseThe ability to defend yourself against an attacker is an awesome feeling. Most martial arts use self-defense as a cornerstone for their entire program, while for others it may be a distant benefit. The precise methods will vary from art to art, but you can be certain that with regular practice, your child will learn to defend himself in a variety of different ways. Many martial arts schools also teach techniques to kids to help avoid problems altogether.

Self-DisciplineMartial arts help instill mental focus in your child, giving her the ability to concentrate on a task and see it through to the end. The discipline that is taught in the Dojo in regard to uniforms, customs and techniques often translates into other areas of life, including school and household chores.

RespectMartial arts are all about respect. Punching, kicking, throwing and locking are all secondary to the respect that is shown form the moment you walk into a Dojo. Children learn to show respect to the instructors as well as to learn to treat other students as they wish to be treated. Quality martial arts instructors press upon the respect issue regularly and instruct students to practice respect for self, parents, teachers and peers at every opportunity.

Self ConfidenceA child who is involved in martial arts is generally a child who is confident in herself. Working through a martial art and the belt ranking system gives a child measurable goal to follow that are realistic to attain. The sense of accomplishment a child feels by mastering a new technique or graduating to a new belt follows him everywhere he goes. A person who is confident in their ability to defend themselves is less likely to be afraid in situations and less likely to have to resort to violence or combative communication techniques, i.e. "Yelling!"